A sensor unit (100) provided with a substrate (101), a plurality of light-receiving units (102) that are provided on the substrate (101) and detect light, and a diffraction grating layer (103) that is provided on the substrate (101) and the light-receiving units (102) and has at least two diffraction means for diffracting light of corresponding wavelengths and condensing the light onto the light-receiving units, wherein at least two of the diffraction means are composed from holograms formed on a first diffraction grating layer and at least a portion of the plurality of holograms formed on the first diffraction grating layer overlap at least partially with another adjacent hologram.
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1. A sensor unit comprising: a substrate; a plurality of light receiving parts arranged on the substrate and for detecting light; and one or more diffraction grating layers arranged over the substrate and the light receiving parts, the diffraction grating layers having two or more diffraction units, each of which diffracts light of a corresponding wavelength and thereby condenses the light at a corresponding one of the light receiving parts, wherein: at least two of the diffraction units are each constituted by a hologram formed in a first one of the diffraction grating layers; and at least some of the plurality of holograms formed in the first diffraction grating layer each overlap at least partly with some of the plurality of neighboring holograms.
The sensor unit consists of a substrate, light detectors arranged on the substrate, and one or more diffraction grating layers on top. These layers split light into different wavelengths and focus each wavelength onto specific light detectors. Each diffraction grating layer contains multiple diffraction units. Importantly, at least two of these diffraction units are holograms within the first diffraction grating layer, and these holograms partially overlap with their neighbors. This overlapping design helps manage light and detector sensitivity.
2. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein: at least one of the diffraction units is formed in a second one of the diffraction grating layers provided on the first diffraction grating layer; and at least some of the plurality of holograms formed in the first diffraction grating layer each overlap, in the plan view, at least partly with some of the diffraction units formed in the second diffraction grating layer.
This sensor unit builds upon the basic design by adding a second diffraction grating layer on top of the first one. At least one diffraction unit exists in this second layer. The holograms in the first layer also overlap with at least some of the diffraction units present in this second diffraction grating layer, when viewed from above. This multi-layer design allows for more complex light management and wavelength separation compared to using a single layer.
3. The sensor unit according to claim 2 , wherein at least one of the diffraction units is constituted by a hologram or a convex-concave part.
This sensor unit uses two diffraction grating layers (as previously described), where at least one diffraction unit is implemented using either a hologram or a set of convex/concave micro-lenses. Therefore, the second diffraction layer can use either a recorded interference pattern (hologram) or physical lens shapes to focus and direct light, in addition to the overlapping hologram approach in the first layer.
4. The sensor unit according to claim 2 , wherein the hologram is formed of a material into which intensity distribution of incident light is recorded in the form of refractive index distribution.
In this sensor unit design with two diffraction grating layers, the hologram is created using a material that records the intensity of light as changes in its refractive index. This means the hologram is formed by exposing the material to light, which alters how the material bends light in proportion to the light's intensity, thereby creating the diffraction pattern needed for focusing specific wavelengths.
5. The sensor unit according to claim 2 , wherein: the plurality of light receiving parts include light receiving parts for detecting light of different wavelengths, and are divided into a plurality of groups according to the wavelength of light to be detected; and for a group of light receiving parts having lower sensitivity to light of the target wavelength for their detection, a larger number of diffraction units corresponding to the light receiving parts are provided.
The sensor unit includes multiple light detectors sensitive to different wavelengths, grouped according to the wavelengths they detect. To compensate for detectors with lower sensitivity, a larger number of diffraction units are allocated to focus light onto those less sensitive detectors. This compensates for variations in detector sensitivity, ensuring a more balanced response across all detected wavelengths by increasing the light focused on less sensitive detectors. The basic unit comprises the substrate, light detectors and diffraction grating layers, with overlapping holograms.
6. The sensor unit according to claim 2 , wherein: the plurality of light receiving parts include light receiving parts for detecting light of different wavelengths, and are divided into a plurality of groups according to the wavelength of light to be detected; and the plurality of light receiving parts are arranged such that, for a group of light receiving parts having lower sensitivity to light of the target wavelength for their detection, the total sum of center-to-center spacings, in the lateral direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the substrate, between diffraction units corresponding to the light receiving parts is larger.
This sensor unit incorporates light detectors for various wavelengths, grouped accordingly. For groups with lower sensitivity, the spacing between the diffraction units directing light to these detectors is increased. The "spacing" refers to the sum of the distances between the centers of adjacent diffraction units, as measured perpendicular to the substrate's thickness. This wider separation further enhances light capture for less sensitive detectors, supplementing the basic substrate, light detectors, diffraction grating layers, and overlapping hologram design.
7. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the diffraction units is constituted by a hologram or a convex-concave part.
This sensor unit consists of a substrate, light detectors arranged on the substrate, and one or more diffraction grating layers on top. These layers split light into different wavelengths and focus each wavelength onto specific light detectors. Each diffraction grating layer contains multiple diffraction units. At least one diffraction unit is implemented using either a hologram or a set of convex/concave micro-lenses. Therefore, a diffraction unit can use either a recorded interference pattern (hologram) or physical lens shapes to focus and direct light.
8. The sensor unit according to claim 7 , wherein the hologram is formed of a material into which intensity distribution of incident light is recorded in the form of refractive index distribution.
In this sensor unit design (with either holograms or convex/concave lenses), the hologram is created using a material that records the intensity of light as changes in its refractive index. This means the hologram is formed by exposing the material to light, which alters how the material bends light in proportion to the light's intensity, thereby creating the diffraction pattern needed for focusing specific wavelengths. The basic unit includes a substrate, light detectors, diffraction grating layers, and at least one diffraction unit.
9. The sensor unit according to claim 7 , wherein: the plurality of light receiving parts include light receiving parts for detecting light of different wavelengths, and are divided into a plurality of groups according to the wavelength of light to be detected; and for a group of light receiving parts having lower sensitivity to light of the target wavelength for their detection, a larger number of diffraction units corresponding to the light receiving parts are provided.
The sensor unit includes multiple light detectors sensitive to different wavelengths, grouped according to the wavelengths they detect. To compensate for detectors with lower sensitivity, a larger number of diffraction units are allocated to focus light onto those less sensitive detectors. This compensates for variations in detector sensitivity, ensuring a more balanced response across all detected wavelengths by increasing the light focused on less sensitive detectors. The basic unit comprises the substrate, light detectors and diffraction grating layers, with at least one diffraction unit.
10. The sensor unit according to claim 7 , wherein: the plurality of light receiving parts include light receiving parts for detecting light of different wavelengths, and are divided into a plurality of groups according to the wavelength of light to be detected; and the plurality of light receiving parts are arranged such that, for a group of light receiving parts having lower sensitivity to light of the target wavelength for their detection, the total sum of center-to-center spacings, in the lateral direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the substrate, between diffraction units corresponding to the light receiving parts is larger.
This sensor unit incorporates light detectors for various wavelengths, grouped accordingly. For groups with lower sensitivity, the spacing between the diffraction units directing light to these detectors is increased. The "spacing" refers to the sum of the distances between the centers of adjacent diffraction units, as measured perpendicular to the substrate's thickness. This wider separation further enhances light capture for less sensitive detectors, supplementing the basic substrate, light detectors, diffraction grating layers, and at least one diffraction unit design.
11. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the hologram is formed of a material into which intensity distribution of incident light is recorded in the form of refractive index distribution.
In this sensor unit design, the hologram is created using a material that records the intensity of light as changes in its refractive index. This means the hologram is formed by exposing the material to light, which alters how the material bends light in proportion to the light's intensity, thereby creating the diffraction pattern needed for focusing specific wavelengths. The basic unit comprises the substrate, light detectors, and diffraction grating layers, with overlapping holograms.
12. The sensor unit according to claim 11 , wherein: the plurality of light receiving parts include light receiving parts for detecting light of different wavelengths, and are divided into a plurality of groups according to the wavelength of light to be detected; and for a group of light receiving parts having lower sensitivity to light of the target wavelength for their detection, a larger number of diffraction units corresponding to the light receiving parts are provided.
The sensor unit includes multiple light detectors sensitive to different wavelengths, grouped according to the wavelengths they detect. To compensate for detectors with lower sensitivity, a larger number of diffraction units are allocated to focus light onto those less sensitive detectors. This compensates for variations in detector sensitivity, ensuring a more balanced response across all detected wavelengths by increasing the light focused on less sensitive detectors. The basic unit comprises the substrate, light detectors and diffraction grating layers, with holograms recorded as refractive index distributions and overlapping holograms.
13. The sensor unit according to claim 11 , wherein: the plurality of light receiving parts include light receiving parts for detecting light of different wavelengths, and are divided into a plurality of groups according to the wavelength of light to be detected; and the plurality of light receiving parts are arranged such that, for a group of light receiving parts having lower sensitivity to light of the target wavelength for their detection, the total sum of center-to-center spacings, in the lateral direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the substrate, between diffraction units corresponding to the light receiving parts is larger.
This sensor unit incorporates light detectors for various wavelengths, grouped accordingly. For groups with lower sensitivity, the spacing between the diffraction units directing light to these detectors is increased. The "spacing" refers to the sum of the distances between the centers of adjacent diffraction units, as measured perpendicular to the substrate's thickness. This wider separation further enhances light capture for less sensitive detectors, supplementing the basic substrate, light detectors, diffraction grating layers with holograms recorded as refractive index distributions and overlapping holograms design.
14. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein: the plurality of light receiving parts include light receiving parts for detecting light of different wavelengths, and are divided into a plurality of groups according to the wavelength of light to be detected; and for a group of light receiving parts having lower sensitivity to light of the target wavelength for their detection, a larger number of diffraction units corresponding to the light receiving parts are provided.
The sensor unit includes multiple light detectors sensitive to different wavelengths, grouped according to the wavelengths they detect. To compensate for detectors with lower sensitivity, a larger number of diffraction units are allocated to focus light onto those less sensitive detectors. This compensates for variations in detector sensitivity, ensuring a more balanced response across all detected wavelengths by increasing the light focused on less sensitive detectors. The basic unit comprises the substrate, light detectors and diffraction grating layers, with overlapping holograms.
15. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein: the plurality of light receiving parts include light receiving parts for detecting light of different wavelengths, and are divided into a plurality of groups according to the wavelength of light to be detected; and the plurality of light receiving parts are arranged such that, for a group of light receiving parts having lower sensitivity to light of the target wavelength for their detection, the total sum of center-to-center spacings, in the lateral direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the substrate, between diffraction units corresponding to the light receiving parts is larger.
This sensor unit incorporates light detectors for various wavelengths, grouped accordingly. For groups with lower sensitivity, the spacing between the diffraction units directing light to these detectors is increased. The "spacing" refers to the sum of the distances between the centers of adjacent diffraction units, as measured perpendicular to the substrate's thickness. This wider separation further enhances light capture for less sensitive detectors, supplementing the basic substrate, light detectors, diffraction grating layers, and overlapping hologram design.
16. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , further comprising an optical system for condensing incident light, on the opposite side to the substrate and the light receiving parts across the diffraction grating layers.
This sensor unit (consisting of a substrate, light detectors, diffraction grating layers, and overlapping holograms) also contains an optical lens system placed *before* the diffraction grating layers (on the opposite side from the substrate and detectors). This optical system initially focuses the incoming light *before* it reaches the diffraction gratings, further concentrating the light for improved detection.
17. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , further comprising a filter for cutting off light of other wavelengths than a specific wavelength, on the light receiving parts.
This sensor unit (consisting of a substrate, light detectors, diffraction grating layers, and overlapping holograms) includes a filter placed on the light detectors. This filter blocks light of unwanted wavelengths, allowing only the specific wavelength of interest to reach the detector, improving signal-to-noise ratio.
18. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , further comprising an optical system for condensing incident light, between the diffraction units and the light receiving parts.
This sensor unit (consisting of a substrate, light detectors, diffraction grating layers, and overlapping holograms) contains an optical lens system placed *between* the diffraction grating layers and the light detectors. This optical system further focuses the light *after* it has been diffracted by the gratings, concentrating the light on the detectors.
19. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the light receiving parts are made of a lead zirconate titanate family ceramic material.
In this sensor unit (consisting of a substrate, light detectors, diffraction grating layers, and overlapping holograms), the light detectors are made from a lead zirconate titanate (PZT) family ceramic material. This specific material selection influences the sensitivity and electrical characteristics of the light detection process.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
June 26, 2014
July 18, 2017
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